PITTSBURGH (KDKA) — When it comes to small town life, it appears that Butler is where it’s at. The city is now getting national attention for some of its finer points.

Richard Butler is always surveying the city that bears his name. The old general has much to be proud of because the May issue of Smithsonian Magazine has listed Butler as one of America’s 20 Best Small Cities.

It was not a small sample. Butler was selected number seven out of 27,000-plus cities with populations less than 25,000.

Maggie Stock is in her seventh year as mayor of America’s seventh city.

“Smithsonian named the 20 best small towns in America for their arts and their culture and their historical events and activities,” says Mayor Stock.

The Shaw House is home to the Butler County Historical Society. The masonic temple on Main Street hosts the Associated Artists of Butler who are celebrating 75 colorful years.

The Smithsonian was also impressed with Butler’s symphony orchestra, and the Maridon Museum, which is filled with priceless Asian art dating back 4,000 years.

Last summer, the city’s first Heritage Festival celebrated the birth of the Bantam, America’s first jeep.

“We had people from 28 states, and I believe six foreign countries who came to celebrate the jeep with us,” Mayor Stock said.

The Smithsonian ranking is likely to bring many more.

“We have a year until they come up with a new list, so I say live it up,” she said.

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